Speier Announces New Legislation To Regulate Pipelines
SAN BRUNO (KCBS) -- Peninsula Congresswoman Jackie Speier is sponsoring a new law to make natural gas transmission lines safer. The legislation calls for utilities to install automatic or remote shut-off valves on all pipelines in high risk areas.
The bill also directs utilities to provide state regulators and first responders locations of all pipelines and emergency response plans.
KCBS Mike Colgan Reporting:
It also mandates more comprehensive inspections and regulates how much pressure the lines can handle, and for utilities to notify residents if they live close to a transmission line.
"This has been a deadly and painful wake-up call," Speier said. "We must act swiftly and we must act deliberately."
Speier submits the bill this week, however Congress won't debate it until Congress reconvenes after the election.
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